Russia Rejects Donald Trump's Claims, Says India Will Continue To Buy 'mutually Beneficial' Russian Oil

Moscow: Russia has categorically rejected the US claim that India has agreed to stop buying Russian oil. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that it has no reason to believe that India has changed its stance on Russian crude oil. The ministry reiterated that energy trade between India and Russia is mutually beneficial and helps maintain stability in the international energy market. The Russian Foreign Ministry also said that India can buy crude oil from any country, and it is nothing new that India wants to diversify its oil sources.

“We are convinced that India’s purchase of Russian hydrocarbons is mutually beneficial & contributes to maintaining stability in the global energy market. We stand ready to continue close cooperation in this area with our Indian partners,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry posted on social media platform X.

Russian Foreign Ministry say?

The Russian Foreign Ministry's statement comes after White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre claimed that following discussions between the US and India, New Delhi had agreed to end purchases of Russian oil and increase crude oil imports from the US. Jean-Pierre said this agreement was reached after direct talks between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jean-Pierre described this alleged agreement as a significant step towards strengthening US economic interests and reducing India's energy dependence on Russia, especially amidst current geopolitical tensions. However, the Indian government has not yet issued any official statement confirming the cessation of Russian oil imports.

Has India sent an official message to Russia?

Earlier, Russian Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had also said that Russia had not received any formal information from India regarding the cessation of Russian oil purchases. He also stated that Russia is committed to further strengthening its strategic partnership with India.

According to a Reuters report, India's imports of Russian oil did decrease somewhat in January, but this decline is considered part of a trend that began in December, when Indian refineries explored options for buying oil from alternative suppliers.

No instructions to stop buying Russian oil! Sources at the refineries told Reuters that they have not received any instructions from the government to stop buying Russian oil. According to the sources, even if such a decision were to be made in the future, a defined period, or wind-down period, would be necessary to fulfill existing contracts.

Overall, India's official stance remains unclear amidst conflicting US claims and Russian statements, but no major policy change regarding Russian oil has been confirmed so far.